Hero Dogs

Hero Dogs, Inc. is a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded military service

personnel. Our mission is to provide independence and improved quality of life to our nation’s veterans by training and placing service dogs (“Hero Dogs™”) with military veterans who become disabled as a result of illness or injury sustained while serving honorably in the United States Armed Forces. Hero Dogs believes that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who, for the good of others, have selflessly sacrificed some of their former capabilities. Hero Dogs helps to repay some of that debt and to restore some of the injured soldiers’ independence. Unlike many traditional service-dog organizations, Hero Dogs will train dogs to assist with multiple disabilities in areas such as mobility, hearing, and/or psychiatric disorders like PTSD. For veterans suffering physically and mentally, Hero Dogs can ease their fear, assist in daily tasks, and provide a literal, furry shoulder to lean on.

Today’s returning veterans have a different and special set of needs that make an assistance dog organization dedicated just to them important and necessary. The creation of Hero Dogs is well timed with new efforts on the part of medical and military leaders to provide appropriate, on-going care to our wounded soldiers. The government is looking for innovative long-term treatments for soldiers suffering from many complicated injuries. Recognizing the rehabilitative powers of a canine-human partnership, the

Department of Defense is currently sponsoring a twelve-month study to determine exactly how and to what extent service dogs help wounded soldiers. A recent survey showed that 82 percent of patients with PTSD who were assigned a dog experienced a decrease in symptoms and the medications they had to take (HealthDay News, September 3, 2009). Uniting service animals with veterans suffering from very difficult problems can clearly have a positive impact on the soldiers’ abilities to manage their post-service life. Hero Dogs’ specially trained canine partners can expand these successful trials into a well-suited solution for the government’s desire to provide a multifaceted treatment to meet veterans’ wide ranging needs.

Just as there are many veterans who can potentially benefit from Hero Dogs, Inc., there are also many ways to become involved with this dynamic organization. Hero Dogs will not charge veterans for the dog or any associated training. Consequently, donations of time, money and materials are critical in order for this organization to provide support to our injured soldiers. No matter what your skill or schedule, there is a volunteer or in-kind donation opportunity for you. If you share a passion to servethose who have served, please visit www. hero-dogs.org.

Compliments of Brookeville Animal Hospital

Hero Dogs, Inc. is a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded military service personnel. Our mission is to provide independence and improved quality of life to our nation’s veterans by training and placing service dogs (“Hero Dogs™”) with military veterans who become disabled as a result of illness or injury sustained while serving honorably in the United States Armed Forces. Hero Dogs believes that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who, for the good of others, have selflessly sacrificed some of their former capabilities. Hero Dogs helps to repay some of that debt and to restore some of the injured soldiers’ independence. Unlike many traditional service-dog organizations, Hero Dogs will train dogs to assist with multiple disabilities in areas such as mobility, hearing, and/or psychiatric disorders like PTSD. For veterans suffering physically and mentally, Hero Dogs can ease their fear, assist in daily tasks, and provide a literal, furry shoulder to lean on.Today’s returning veterans have a different and special set of needs that make an assistance dog organization dedicated just to them important and necessary. The creation of Hero Dogs is well timed with new efforts on the part of medical and military leaders to provide appropriate, on-going care to our wounded soldiers. The government is looking for innovative long-term treatments for soldiers suffering from many complicated injuries. Recognizing the rehabilitative powers of a canine-human partnership, the Department of Defense is currently sponsoring a twelve-month study to determine exactly how and to what extent service dogs help wounded soldiers. A recent survey showed that 82 percent of patients with PTSD who were assigned a dog experienced a decrease in symptoms and the medications they had to take (HealthDay News, September 3, 2009). Uniting service animals with veterans suffering from very difficult problems can clearly have a positive impact on the soldiers’ abilities to manage their post-service life. Hero Dogs’ specially trained canine partners can expand these successful trials into a well-suited solution for the government’s desire to provide a multifaceted treatment to meet veterans’ wide ranging needs.Just as there are many veterans who can potentially benefit from Hero Dogs, Inc., there are also many ways to become involved with this dynamic organization. Hero Dogs will not charge veterans for the dog or any associated training. Consequently, donations of time, money and materials are critical in order for this organization to provide support to our injured soldiers. No matter what your skill or schedule, there is a volunteer or in-kind donation opportunity for you. If you share a passion to serve those who have served, please visit www.hero-dogs.org. Compliments of Brookeville Animal Hospital